Another Keeper Hangs His Gloves

First it was Milan’s Dida who called it quits after 10 years with the Rossoneri, now Italian and Inter Milan goalie Francesco Toldo has decided to follow in his one time fierce rival’s footsteps.

Toldo retired as Inter keeper earlier this week after more than 20 years in the game. Ironically, Toldo begun his career with Inter’s arch rivals AC Milan back in 1987 as a youth before moving onto a series of clubs .

The 38 year old has however, had to fight for a place in the Nerazzurri’s starting 11 since the arrival of Brazilian Julio Cesar in 2005. Such was his love for Inter that when Cesar succeeded him as Inter’s first choice, rather than leave the club, Toldo opted to take his place on the bench.

As like Dida, Toldo made his announcement on Inter’s official website.

“I have decided. I will stop playing. I will stop playing football. This is the first time I have said this officially, and so I am emotional,” he told the club’s official website.

“My holidays this year will be very long in the sense that I will stop playing football.

“But, despite this, I will continue to stay withing the club and co-operate with Inter Campus, seeking to increase the club’s high image.”

In addition to having one of the game’s best keepers today, Inter also signed Luca Castellazzi from Sampdoria. That should serve as sufficient back up if anything were to happen to Cesar.

Toldo also opted not to have a farewell match played in honour of his contributions for Inter. Toldo’s retirement brings down the curtain on Italy’s golden goalkeeping generation.

Juventus keeper Gianluigi Buffon also having retired after a woeful World Cup, the race is now on to find the country’s next best goal keeper.